Getting married to the person you love is one of those moments in life that you’ll cherish for years to come, but it’s also an event that can put quite a big dent in your wallet if you’re not careful, considering that an average wedding in the U.S. cost $33,900 in 2019.
So, what do you do if you want to save cash but also want to throw a dreamy wedding without giving up on all the bells and whistles? You throw an at-home wedding, of course! Preparing your space for a backyard wedding can be fun, but it does take a lot of planning and organizing to pull it off successfully. For those decided on taking the DIY approach to their special day, here are five useful tips for making your at-home wedding the most magical day of your lives.
Consider the amount of space you’re working with
First things first, you want to make sure that the space you’re planning to use as your wedding venue has enough room to accommodate all of your guests. The last thing you want is the venue feeling overcrowded. Therefore, if there’s not enough space for everyone on the guest list, you might have to trim it down a bit. Some other questions you should ask yourself include:
· Are you planning to use both indoor and outdoor space?
· Will you be hosting both the ceremony and reception in the backyard?
· Is there sufficient parking space for the guests?
· Is there enough room for tables, chairs, dancefloor, DJ, the band, etc.?
· Will there be a tent in case of bad weather or will you move the wedding indoors?
· Is the kitchen fully equipped?
· Where will the guests be staying?
Decide on a wedding theme
Other than finding the most beautiful wedding gown and suit, following a pre-wedding skin care regimen and sticking to a strict nutrition plan, you’ll also need to come up with a theme and design for your at-home wedding venue. Will it be something whimsical and fairytale-like, rustic country, vintage, or something more sophisticated and contemporary?
What you select as a wedding theme will largely dictate your choice of flowers, tableware, centerpieces, chairs, and your wedding menu, so keep this in mind as well as the overall vibe you’re going for.
See what you can DIY
The fact that you’re not paying for a venue is already going to save a big chunk of your wedding budget, but you should also look for other things you can DIY. This can be anything from crafting DIY gifts for your bridesmaid crew to making floral centerpieces to decorating the chairs.
Taking the DIY approach to planning your wedding can be fun and you can definitely add some personal touches by making the wedding decor yourself. While some things can easily be turned into DIY projects, others are better left to professionals. Which leads us to our next tip…
Rely on professionals to prep the outdoors
Since your wedding is taking place outdoors, you need to make sure that the backyard looks spick and span and that it’s ready to accommodate everyone from your wedding guests to the DJ and the band. Consulting with a professional landscaper will ensure that your lawn and garden look well-manicured, while giving your front door and fence a fresh coat of paint will add some extra curb appeal.
Outdoor wedding venues could also benefit from installing effective patio misting systems which will help keep the guests cool outside, making weddings more comfortable even during warm summer months. Regardless of whether the wedding is taking place by the pool, in an entertaining area, or a backyard gazebo, with the help of professionals, you can create optimal conditions and make sure that your outdoor space is well-prepped and guest-friendly.
Have a plan B in case of bad weather
You can plan your wedding down to a T – if the weather forecast is not in your favor, it can really dampen your plans for your big day (both literally and figuratively). This is why it pays to have a plan B just in case of a sudden shower mid-ceremony.
Renting a tent can provide you with the much-needed peace of mind on your big day, acting as a shelter in case it rains. You’ll need to prepare the indoors as well. Now would be the right time to give your interiors some extra TLC and declutter where possible. Finally, add some welcoming touches such as bathroom baskets, fresh flowers, and candles or reed diffusers with subtle fragrances.
Wrapping up
They say there’s no place like home, and this is definitely true when it comes to throwing an at-home wedding. After all, our home is the place that holds some of the most beautiful memories, and that alone makes it even more ideal of a wedding venue, especially for newly-weds who value privacy and familiarity. Rely on the tips above as a guide, cross them off your to-do list, and you’ll have no trouble organizing a memorable private home bash.
